Michelle Rennie from the FMEL Programme Review Board says it is her understanding FMEL believed the tenders they received were credible and deliverable.

Alex Logan says the contracts were a big boost for the local workers but the yard was not set up to build two ships side by side.

The FMEL Programme Review Board member says it was unclear how the ships could be builtbecause there wasn't the space.

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles gets questioning underway by asking whether the vessels could ever have been delivered within the original timescale or budget.

Was enough due diligence done with the awarding of the contract, he also asks.

Tim Hair from FMEL says it is difficult for him to comment on the awarding of the contract as he only joined the firm in August.

The vessels themselves are a demanding, long-term engineering project but I do not see why they should not have been delivered, he tells the committee, reiterating the intention to deliver them still.

Image source, bbc

Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee convener Edward Mountain welcomes:

• Tim Hair from FMEL (Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd)
• Michelle Rennie from the FMEL Programme Review Board
• Alex Logan, also from the FMEL Programme Review Board

The committee convener points out that since being taken into public ownership the yard is known as Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow ltd.

The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee will begin shortly.

It will start taking evidence on its ferry procurement inquiry, which was set up following collapse and subsequent nationalisation of the Ferguson Marine shipyard.

MSPs are considering:

• the updated costs and timetable for the completion of two new ferries
• the Scottish government’s decision to take public ownership of FMEL
• potential implications for future procurement of maritime vessels

Read more about the inquiry here., external

And papers for today's meeting here. , external

Image source, PA Media

MSPs will shortly begin an inquiry into the failure to complete two CalMac ferries on time and on budget.

The vessels are being built by Ferguson shipyard on the Clyde but they're set to cost £100m more than agreed.

They are also due to be delivered three years late.

The rural economy and connectivity committee will explore the construction and procurement of ferry vessels.

Their focus will be on a major controversy - the huge delay and cost over-run in the delivery of two CalMac ferries.

The vessels were partially built by Ferguson shipyard, before its collapse last year.

Since then the main players involved have blamed each other.

MSPs will now explore who if anyone was responsible and what lessons can be learned for the future.

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome to BBC Scotland's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 22 January 2020.

The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee begins its inquiry into the Ferguson shipyard and ferry procurement.

After constitutional and culture portfolio questions, Scottish Labour will lead a debate in local government funding.

Then Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour hosts a member's debate on the 350th anniversary of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.